Social Minister: Gov’t Set to Reduce Stunting to 14% in 2024

Minister of Social Affairs delivers press statement after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/8). (Photo: Jay/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his Cabinet to reduce stunting in Indonesia to 14% by 2024.

“Even though we are currently struggling with the pandemic, all programs and budgets regarding stunting reduction at several ministries / institutions must continue to run so that the target can be achieved,” Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/8).

The President, according to Juliari, has also ordered Minister of Social Affairs to continue all social assistance programs that have been carried out by the Ministry such as the Family Hope Program (PKH) since stunting reduction program is part of the PKH program

“Regarding the ability of mentors in educating the beneficiary families, Ministry of Social Affairs has also asked Minister of Health to provide additional online modules to improve their knowledge,” said the Minister.

Other social assistance programs, he continued, includes the Basic Food Card or Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) program.

“We are also proposing to add milk to one of the foodstuffs packed in the Staple Food Card program (BPNT) which we believe can provide additional nutrition, especially for beneficiary families with pregnant women and toddlers,” added Jauhari.

The Minister went on to say that the President also wanted to ensure that Minister of Finance can concentrate the work programs and the budgets in certain ministries and institutions only.

“That way, the success indicator of this stunting reduction program can be easier to measure and the impact can be felt directly by the people,” Jauhari said. (TGH / EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas